LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS

ANNUAL REPORT 2014 - 2015

Ensuring The Independence

And Dignity

Of Seniors

Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) has provided our services to seniors throughout Alameda County for 39 years. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2016, we refl ect upon the work we have accomplished and also look forward to the next 40 years.

What do the next 40 years look like? LAS is committed to responding to the growing and shifting needs of the senior community. LAS is committed to working with our community partners to ensure Alameda County is a supportive and safe place for seniors to live and thrive. LAS is committed to championing seniors' rights. Mostly, LAS is committed to continuing to serve seniors through advocacy, counseling and education.

It is an exciting time to be working on behalf of seniors. Many elements are changing in a positive way. Our communities are recognizing and beginning to plan for the increasing number of seniors on the horizon. This planning will translate to an increased focus on, and commitment to, the needs of seniors and will lead to more resources, collaboration and services. It is a time of innovation and bold thinking for a brighter future for our seniors, and we are excited to be a part of it.

LAS could not do the work without our community partners and supporters who believe in the work that we do and share in the common vision of a brighter future for seniors. We thank you and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the independence and dignity of seniors.

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Thank you for taking the time to review this 2014-15 Annual Report. We hope you will fi nd it interesting, informative, and inspiring.

The 2014-15 fi scal year saw signifi cant changes at LAS. Under the capable leadership of Board President Maria Lawless, we said goodbye to Francel D'Andrea, our Executive Director for six years. Then, we had the incredible good luck to secure James Treggiari as our new ED.

Jim was one of our staff attorneys for several years and therefore knows the organization well. He is committed to non-profi t legal services. Moving easily in the legal and larger communities, he has been busy forming relationships and articulating a vision for stability and growth, while paying attention to those sometimes less exciting things such as systems, board training, and the everyday details involved in running an organization with 22 employees and many funding sources. We are very pleased to have him lead the agency. As calendar year 2016 dawned, we began to wonder about the best ways to celebrate our 40th anniversary. The fi rst step, of course, was to recall the beginning and the visionary women to whom we are all indebted.

Willie James, Doka Clausen and Jane Welch were "Displaced Homemakers," moving back into the workforce for the fi rst time in middle age, after having raised a total of 16 children among them. They trained as paralegals, obtained a small grant, and set themselves up in a tiny offi ce with one telephone and not much else, to represent elders at Social Security hearings.

The year was 1976. The 70's were a dynamic decade, characterized by the rise of such major social movements as the anti-war movement, environmentalism, the "second wave" of feminism, and the entry of signifi cant numbers of women into traditionally male-dominated professions, including the law.

It was a heady atmosphere, but one that still required courage and energy, and these women had both. They got LAS off to a remarkable start and continued working well into the 80's. Jane, in fact, is the last survivor of the three and although she was the oldest, volunteered as a receptionist for several years after her retirement.

Letter from Board President

LAS Founding Mothers (L to R): Willie James, Jane Welch & Doka Clausen

Priscilla Camp, Board President

In 1984, the total annual LAS budget was around $120,000. Now it's $1.4 million. But, as our current Treasurer Phillip Campbell is fond of saying, we provide $3-4 million worth of services. This is not sustainable.

So we invite you to join us in honoring our founders while imagining, and committing ourselves to, a robust future of growth and stability.

Recently I ran into one of Doka Clausen's daughters, Chris, and reminded her of the 40th anniversary. "Wow," she said. "My mother would be amazed. And so proud."

LAS Founding Mothers (L to R): Willie James, Jane Welch & Doka Clausen

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I am honored to present the Annual Report for Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) for the fi scal year 2014-2015. It was an amazing year of growth and change for LAS. Over the past year, our previous Executive Director, Francel D’Andrea, took a well-earned retirement; LAS held the 10th Annual Conference on Elder Abuse; and most of all, LAS served thousands of seniors through our various programs and worked hard to strengthen our presence in the community.

2016 marks LAS’ 40th anniversary and I believe that our founding mothers would be proud of how we have evolved and where we are today. LAS was started by a group of three inspirational women who were taking paralegal classes at Mills College as part of the “Displaced Homemakers Club.” There was a need in the senior community for advocacy around public benefits and they responded. Although public benefi ts advocacy is now only one part of the services we provide, all of our services refl ect the same values and ethics that drove our founding mothers to be so bold and creative. We strive to bring their commitment and responsiveness to seniors forward for the next 40 years.

While an anniversary is an opportunity to refl ect on our past and celebrate how far we have come, I am also excited to look ahead to the next 40 years. At LAS, we believe the way forward is collaboration. Often, many hands must be involved to create the stability needed for seniors to thrive. This idea has led to more formalized collaborations with other community-based organizations and with local and county government departments.

It is an inspiring time to be working in the area of seniors’ r ights . Many of the pressing issues facing seniors are fi nally being recognized by the community. I am encouraged that there is frequent dialogue around the rights of older adults and the ways we need to step up to improve the services our more vulnerable adults need.

As we move forward, I could not be more excited for what the future holds for LAS. Over the years we have changed the way we deliver our services and the programs we offer, but we have always been guided by the hearts and wisdom of our founding mothers.

Letter from Executive Director

"I believe that our founding mothers would be proud of where we are

and how we have evolved. "

James Treggiari, Executive Director

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COMMITMENTTHROUGHOUT THE YEARS

Our VisionLAS’ vision is that all seniors are able to live

with safety, dignity, and independence ,regardless of their economic, social, or health

circumstances.

1976

LAS is founded by three women who re-entered the workforce with the goal of protecting seniors' legal rights

1988

LAS becomes the contracted provider for HICAP services in Alameda County

1990

LAS organizes "Save our Seniors" protest in the streets of downtown Oakland

1992

LAS receives direct federal funding to provide services during the foreclosure crisis

1996

LAS begins assisting immigrant seniors with applications for CAPI benefi ts

2005

LAS launches its fi rst Elder Abuse Conference in Oakland

2016

LAS celebrates its 40th year of services to seniors

Our MissionLAS’ mission is to ensure the independence

and dignity of seniors by protecting their legal rights through education,

counseling, and advocacy.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LIVE BELOW POVERTY LEVEL

LOW INCOME

56%

96%

LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY CLIENTS

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71%AGED 65 AND OLDER

PUBLIC BENEFITS - 15%

NATURALIZATION LEGAL SERVICES - 4%

ELDER ABUSE - 35%

HEALTH LAW - 9%

G UA R D I A N S H I P - 19%

CONSERVATORSHIP - 11%

OTHER LEGAL

SERVICES - 7%

A R E A S O F L A W

LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY CLIENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RACE/ETHNICITY OF CLIENTS

31% WHITE

26% AFRICAN AMERICAN

28% OTHER/ MULTIRACIAL

15% ASIAN

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LEGAL

Mr. Smith, a 71 year old man from Oakland, lived

with his son and eight year old granddaughter

Mia.* Mr. Smith's son used drugs and physically

and verbally abused him.

Despite his abuse, Mr. Smith felt he couldn't

ask his son to leave because he needed to

make sure Mia was safe. One day, Mr. Smith's

son's abuse escalated and he threatened Mr.

Smith with a knife.

The police were called and Mr. Smith's son was

arrested for elder abuse. With representation by

LAS' legal team, Mr. Smith was awarded both

guardianship of his granddaughter and an elder

abuse restraining order against his son.

Mr. Smith is now able to protect himself from his

son's abuse and can make sure Mia will grow up in

a safe, stable and loving home. With his new legal

authority, Mr. Smith was even able to authorize a

special education assessment and mental health

services for Mia.

Mr. Smith said that LAS empowered

him to fi le for the restraining order and

guardianship and that he is no longer afraid

of his son. He thinks that his son is now

afraid of him, because with LAS' help, he

knows how to legally protect himself and

his granddaughter.

*Names and identifying details have

been changed to protect client’s privacy

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HICAP

17,57639

VOLUNTEERS

8.8K HOURS DONATED

INDIVIDUALLYCOUNSELED

4FULL TIME

STAFF

COUNSELORS MET WITH CLIENTS AT

32 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT ALAMEDA COUNTY

5,075CLIENTS

PEOPLE REACHEDAT COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) provides education and counseling to thousands of Medicare benefi ciaries and pre-retirees each year. Highly trained volunteer counselors meet individually with clients and also help us provide education and outreach throughout Alameda County.

During the Annual Enrollment Period of 2014-15, HICAP Counselors assisted an especially large number of vulnerable, low income Medicare and Medi-Cal benefi ciaries who were losing their health care coverage through the Alameda Alliance. Throughout the year, HICAP Counselors help clients navigate the "New to Medicare Maze," apply for low income assistance programs, appeal denial of coverage or enrollment problems, and detect fraud and abuse in the Medicare world.

"� ank you for your valuable assistance in helping me get Social Security bene� ts and Medicare. I so appreciate your help in walking with me through

this entire process."

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COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Our Community Education department weaves together the different services that LAS offers.

On the legal side, staff attorneys and advocates train seniors on important topics such as:

• Consumer Fraud• Elder Abuse • Public Benefi ts • Immigration• Guardianships• Health Law

The HICAP department staff and volunteer Community Educators take their knowledge about the Medicare system and share it with the community at large. Presentation topics include:

• Welcome to Medicare• Medicare and Low Income Assistance• Understanding Medicare Part D• An Overview of Long Term Care Insurance • How to Help Prevent Medicare Fraud & Abuse

• Know Your Medicare Rights

"We have great educators within LAS because they have so much real life experience in terms of helping people with

the system."

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Had it not been for LAS, I would not have been able to a� ord the legal retention of an attorney.

I will always be grateful.

“”

LAS BENEFITS FROM MANY LONG TERM FUNDING SOURCES FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND FOUNDATIONS TO DEDICATED INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS.

Our ongoing governmental support includes federal and state monies that are passed through the Alameda County Social Services Agency under the Older Americans Act. It also includes general funds from Alameda County, agencies including Adult Protective Services, the Department of Children & Family Services and the County Behavorial Health Care Services Agency.

The State Bar of California provides LAS with three separate grants. Additionally, we have a contract with the County of Contra Costa Employment & Human Services. We have been fortunate to add the City of Alameda as a funder, joining the cities of Fremont, Hayward, Livermore and Pleasanton. Through new and ongoing foundation contracts, we are able to support our guardianship, elder abuse and naturalization services.

Through collaboration with agencies such as Senior Services Coalition, Family Support Services of the Bay Area, Lincoln Child Center, and the Alameda County Superior Court, we are able to provide a broad range of services, keeping families intact and seniors in their homes.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

$399,884

$114,259

$285,625

ASSETS, LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS 2015 2014

ASSETS

LIABILITIES

NET ASSETS

2014 - 2015 IN NUMBERS

$194,661

$190,273

$4,388

SUPPORT AND REVENUE

EXPENSES BREAKDOWN

LEGAL SERVICES $832,550

HICAP $291,992

COMMUNITY EDUCATION $141,343

GENERAL ANDADMINISTRATIVE $217,456

FUNDRAISING $66,711

= $1,550,052

5% | $100,119IN KIND SERVICES

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THANK YOU

Albert & Elaine Borchard FoundationAmazon Smile FoundationArkay FoundationArthur & Charlotte Zitkin FoundationBank of America Charitable FoundationBernard E. & Alba Witkin Charitable FoundationCalifornia Health AdvocatesCommunity Health CharitiesCrosby & Kaneda CPAsEast Bay Foundation on Aging through the San Francisco FoundationEast Bay Trusts & Estates LawyersFamily Support Services of the Bay AreaFidelity Charitable Gift FundHartog & Baer

Foundation and Corporate Donors

Hindu Community & Cultural Center, Inc.IMT AssociatesLocal Independent Charities of AmericaMarin Software Inc.The California Wellness FoundationThe David B. Gold FoundationThomas J. Long FoundationTrue North FoundationUnited Way of Central New MexicoUnited Way of Silicon Valleyvan Loben Sels/RembeRock FoundationVISAWalter S. Johnson FoundationWest Davis & Bergard Foundation

Thank you to all of our donors! LAS relies on government grants and contracts, as well as the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations to provide this important work.

THANK YOU

County of Alameda Social Services AgencyAdult and Aging ServicesChildren and Family Services

County of Alameda Health Care Services Agency

County of Contra CostaEmployment and Human Services

The State Bar of CaliforniaLegal Services Trust Fund Program

Cities:AlamedaFremontHaywardLivermorePleasanton

Trio Inc.UC Hastings College of the LawBogle Winery

Government

Conference Presenters:Alicea LedbetterAndrew de VriesAnnie KimBrian E. KulichDominic J. CampisiElizabeth Landsverk, MDHon. Judge Steve DylinaJeffrey R. LoewJenefer DuaneJonathan Canick, PhDKathryn A. SchofieldKathryn A. StebnerKenneth W. McCormickKirsten M. FishLizabeth N. de VriesM. Patricia FisherPaul GreenwoodPrescott ColeRobin KlomparensScott PhippsSpike KeilSteven P. BracciniTara HeumannTony Chicotel

In-Kind Donations

Pro-Bono

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THANK YOU

$2,500 and upLibby and Donald EricksonThe Michael J. Loeb and Barbara S. Loeb Revocable TrustEllen and Glenn Voyles

$1,000 to $2,499Elizabeth S. AndersenDavid C. AoyamaJoanne F. CaseyDavid C. DurantDavid C. LeeTimothy J. Seit

Individual Donors

$1 to $999Mark AaronsonCynthia AlbroSharon AndereggElizabeth S. AndersenJennifer AndersonSherri A. AoyamaErnes A. AvellarBarbara J. BarbourJudith BettsElaine M. BingerBonnie K. BishopMartha BoneyJessie D. BoneyAndrew BoneyBenjamin P. BowserJ. Bass BradmanRobert BretthauerYuriy BrodskiyJessie Mae BrownCarla BryantFrances BuchholzBarbara J. Burgard

Marsha Burlingame and David E. SchlegelElaine M. BurrisKatherine CalvertJoseph W. CampbellMary ChamplinChi-Wen Julie Chou and Fukun WangTerry ClarkJ. Fredrick ClarkeKaren ClausenJulie CongerSusan Consey and Kevin ConseyFrancel D'AndreaJames M. DavidNorma D. De GuzmanMichael R. DoughertyDerethia Duval Nadyne P. EpsteinDuncan FallsCarol FederighiEmily Filloy

THANK YOUIndividual Donors

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$1 to $999Lois A. FlockPatricia M. ForsythePeter FowlerKeith FudennaIona GageMargo GeorgeMary GerberRobert GoforthSheila GoldmacherCandace GoldmanRoger and Marian GrayCarl E. GrimesBarry GrossStephanie J. HayesDaniel L. HaynesIra HillyerLillian M. HirtYu Han HuangSandra HurleyDebra IsaacsonHolly L. ItoMarc S. Janowitz

Twyler JenkinsCharlotte Harris JohnstonLorna E. JonesDarrell L. JonesWilbur JordanJane Ruth KaplanTong Nhu KhaAllen KusanoElaine M. KwanLouis E. LabatPauline J. LeeAnne LeibowitzJean A. LewisMichael LoebPeter G. LomhoffLi Fang LouieDeanna D. LyonHelen S.L. MacAnnie MacPatricia A. MachollEmiko MatsunagaLucas McGranahan

Thelma Kalue-Seeto MookPatricia A. MostekAnne Nash and Jeffrey P. NashEdward G. NobleLesley NobleGeorge NoboriIlya OkhMichael Adeniyi OmilabuCarmen Gloria PaganFlordnette Partee Joseph A. PerilloJerry PhelanLore PolitzerCheryl PonciniSusan PrausnitzH.M. ProctorGilbert John RamirezLalgudi RamnarayanSandra RankinsS.A. RankinsElizabeth S. Reed

Sylvia RockMary RudserDavid C. SaferCarolyn SandersPauline J SheeleyNeil SiegelKenneth G. SnetsingerDeanna D. SoeVernice A. SolimarJohn SutterThomas J. TaboadaSusan L. UeckerKaren VasudavanAnthony R. VierraGregory WilcoxJanet L. WilliamsHoward L. WilliamsXue-Ru Xie

THANK YOU

LegalAlan Goldhammer Kristen Southworth Corinne PepperellDavid Peterson Emily Fancher Ron Patterson Michelle Covington Charlotte Johnston Tarah Powell-Chen James MelloWilliam Shao Sylvia Gagne Jun Kodani Adamma O' Brien Suzanne Pierce Zaida Portillo

Community EducationArnie Becker Katy Brady Diana GrayPat Macholl

VolunteersHICAP Ken AroraArnie Becker Ann Bednarczyk Katy BradyGrace Chang Brent CohenMarilyn Cutting Ashok Desai Shubha Fanse Cynthia Flaherty Alice Gates Gerry Eiselman Mary Gilkerson Edith Goldstein Diana Gray Kelly Harp Ann Healy Marshall Johnson Karen Kavanagh Roby KileyYoon Kim Terry Kranitz

Nancy KungEdmund LamPaul LeePatricia MachollLucy MorganLynn PoweJanet QuiliciBarry RaderJane ReidJohnny RolandMonica Schaeffer Ada Schoch Lionel SchourEve Trimble Mary Beth Uitti Leslie Walker Mary Wilson

THANK YOU

Maria Lawless, PresidentDavid C. Lee, President EmeritusMonica Dell'Osso, Vice PresidentDevina E. Whitley, TreasurerJoy Soulier, Secretary

Priscilla CampJonathan Canick, Ph.D.Francel D'Andrea, ex-officioDavid DurantSusan E. FirtchDavid OhDavid ScharffKaren VasudavanJames Treggiari, ex-officio

Board of Directors

Anupa Batra Julie BatzElisabeth BoesgaardKristen Boney Grace ChangCaitlin Chan Elizabeth CombsFrancel D'AndreaBrandy DeOrnellasDiana GrayGene HackerKelly HarpEugenia Harris JoLemelle Johnson

Our Staff

Phyllis JohnsonKaren KavanaghMariel KusanoTracy LiuEdita MercadoLucas McGranahan Lenora Merlander Nancy RenoKate RosenbaumJames TreggiariJanet Van DeusenDaniel VasquezKirsten Voyles

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THANK YOU 2015 10th Annual Conference on Elder Abuse Sponsors

Andrew De Vries, MBA - Probate, Estate, Trust & Conservatorship BrokerEvans, Latham & Campisi A Professional Law Corporation

Kazan, McClain Satterley & Greenwood, A Professional Law CorporationDonahue Fitzgerald LLP

Tileshop, Inc.Elizabeth Gibbons - Lincoln Financial

Karen Vasudavan, Adam Messinger and Patrick Greening at Merri l l Lynch Wealth ManagementMonica Dell 'Osso

Trey Banton - Transamerica Retirement SolutionsBurnham Brown

Campbell Law OfficesCotchett Pitre & MacCarthy, LLP

Home Care AssistanceNeedham Kepner Fish & Rickard LLP

THANK YOU

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Seniors At Home, a division of Jewish Family and Children's Services of the West BayStebner & Associates

True Link Financial Law Office of Joanne F. Casey

Alan J. Statmen dba Trust MattersAnderson Yazdi Hwang Minton + Horn LLP

Barulich Dugoni Law Group, Inc.Camp Rousseau Montgomery, LLP

Hopkins & Carley, A Law CorporationIMT Associates

Ingrid M. Evans, Evans Law Firm, Inc. Joy Soulier & Associates, Certif ied Public Accountants

Law Office of Ann E. O'HaraLaw Office of Bonnie K. Bishop

Law Office of James Phil l ips

2015 10th Annual Conference on Elder Abuse Sponsors

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDOakland, CA

Permit No. 864

Legal Assistance for Seniors1970 Broadway, Suite 300

Oakland, CA 94612510-832-3040

www.lashicap.org